Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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93. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the expected timeline for the new bridge in Ballina and Killaloe to become operational given that construction has commenced; and the projected cost. [47113/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.

As announced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the 23rd May, the Office for Government Procurement has published guidance for parties to public works contracts on establishing and using an 'Inflation/Supply Chain Delay Co-operation Framework Agreement'. This framework attempts to relieve some of the inflationary pressures on materials, energy and fuel. Clare County Council, which is the contracting authority for the Shannon Crossing, Killaloe Bypass and R494 Upgrade scheme, has advanced discussions with the contractor in relation to how the project will be progressed and construction on the scheme has now commenced. My understanding is that the project construction duration is 3 years.

Discussions between the Council and the contractor on the basis of the co-operation agreement and costs will remain ongoing while the framework is in place.